2BC BIBLE STUDY NOTES
Wednesday in the Word
Second Baptist Church
March 4, 2020
Numbers 26
At this point in the book of Numbers, we are 38 years into the wilderness journey of the Hebrews since being delivered from Egypt. This is important because most of the folks that are with Moses at this point were born in the wilderness and are under 40 years old. It is interesting that God is going to build his new nation on what most would consider “the young people.” These folks were never in Egypt, so they don’t long for Egypt, nor do they grumble about how “good” it was in the old days. The people that Moses is leading now are wilderness babies. Therefore, we will see Moses take a census and reinforce the laws and commands that God first issues some 30 years prior. This new group must be reminded of the words of God and his commands.
Verses 1-4. This plague, in the last lesson, had reduced the number of people by 24,000. This seems to be the last large reduction of the people, before they went into the Promised Land. This census has to do with all the people, since God speaks to Moses and Eleazar. You remember, Aaron has died and Eleazar took his place as high priest. The previous census had a military purpose: to record all those men aged 20 and over who were fit for military service (1:3), and so does this census (26:2). This was appropriate since a campaign against Midian had just been announced (25:16-18), and the conquest of Canaan was imminent. But there was a more important reason for this census: to determine the relative size of the tribes, so they should each receive a proportionate share of territory in the Promised Land (verses 52-56). One of the beautiful things we will see is how God was concerned with the people getting an even share of the land. Chapters 1 and 3 give the total number of men in each tribe, whereas chapter 26 gives these totals and also lists the families or clans that make up each tribe. There are extra details supplied in this census about the clans and their forefathers to help serve as a reminder that the cause of the great multiplication of the children of Israel goes back to the promise to the patriarchs in Gen. 12:2; 26:24; and 46:3).
Verses 5-51. The numbers for each tribe with the net gain or loss were as follows:
Verses 52-56: These census numbers would be used to decide the size of each tribe’s inheritance in the Land. The exact locations would be determined by lot/a random way of choosing something. The inheritance of land allotted will be according to how many people each tribe has. To a tribe more numerous, and consisting of more and larger families, a greater part of the land was to be given to them to possess. And to a smaller tribe, and of the fewer families and persons in them, a lesser share of it. This direction is given to Moses, but is not designed for him personally. For he never entered the land, but died before Israel went into it. But for the chief ruler that it would be then, namely, Joshua, his successor. This is saying rather than each one choosing what they wanted, and having an argument about the division; God will have them to cast lots. It is very interesting that we are studying the census that Moses took, and the fact that we are about to take a census in this country. Many decisions are based on the census and doing things in an equitable fashion drives the necessity of an accurate count. In order for resources to be allocated properly, a good count is required. You wouldn’t want to deprive a community their fair share.
Verses 57-65: As in the first census (3:14-39), the Levites were counted separately. The total number of Levites was 23,000 (verse 62), an increase of 1,000 over the previous census (see 3:39). Now we see the tribes of the Levites. They were not numbered with the others, because they do not go to war. They are the servants of the Lord. They take care of the religious side of the life of the Israelites. They take care of the tabernacle also. Those who were numbered as men in the first census are all dead, except for Joshua and Caleb. God let them all die off, because of their lack of faith. The new generation of their descendants will inherit the Promised Land. Twelve men searched the Promised Land 40 days, and only two, Caleb and Joshua, brought a good report. They wandered 40 years to compensate for their 40 days of unbelief.
Reuben 43,760 verse 7 -2,770
Simeon 22,200 verse 14 -37,100
Gad 40,500 verse 18 -5,150
Judah 76,500 verse 22 +1,900
Issachar 64,300 verse 25 +9,900
Zebulun 60,500 verse 27 +3,100
Manasseh 52,700 verse 34 +20,500
Ephraim 32,500 verse 37 -8,000
Benjamin 45,600 verse 41 +10,200
Dan 64,400 verse 43 +1,700
Asher 53,400 verse 47 +11,900
Naphtali 45,400 verse 50 -8,000
Total 601,730 verse 51 -1,820
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